2001 British Open

[NickHammy]

The 2001 British Open is coming up soon. It starts on July 19. Who will challenge Tiger? Will he repeat?

[Marc]

The perfect scenario would be for Tiger to be leading and David Duval to be seriously challenging him. :D

[lmanchur.]

How would that be the "perfect scenario?" ... maybe 'cuz Woods and Duval were the final pairing last year, and Duval was in good contention until the 17th hole when he landed in the bunker, too 3 shots to get out of it, and made something like a 7 on the par-4 17th....

At the Old Course at St. Andrews, the site of last year's Open Championship, there were "just" 120 bunkers on 16 holes, because there were ZERO bunkers on the first and eighteenth hole. However, at the site of this year's Open Championship, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, there are 195 bunkers!!!!

Of course, you can't bet against Tiger Woods to win.... it's just not possible... but if he isn't going to win.. hmmmmmmmmm... well, gotta like Mike Weir's chances ;) ...he's improving in every major he plays in.

Nah, he probably won't contend, but, seriously, if Tiger Woods doesn't win, I think ... geez.. it's tough to choose 1 or 2 players in a 120-player field, but I'll go for Ernie Els or Sergio Garcia.

At Royal Lytham & St. Annes, there are 3 par 5's, 4 par 3's, and 11 par 4's.... just in case you wanted to know! :)

[Marc]

Originally posted by SC-Lee
How would that be the "perfect scenario?
Because Tiger is no doubt the best golfer in the game, but for tournaments to be as interesting as possible, he would be leading and David Duval would be chasing and challenging him. We all can admit that tournaments start to lose their interest after Tigers wins by 10 strokes everytime - so having what most considered to be the man to push Tiger, Duval, actually push and chase Tiger, it would be the "perfect scenario".

[iFroggy]

Well... lets see... Tiger Woods, I would like to see... but other than that... the usual suspects and any players that are familar with that golf course.

[lmanchur.]

Well, I woke up at 6:59 AM today... just in time for ESPN's/TSN's 7:00 AM coverage of the 130th Open Championship.

They joined it in progress.... probably started 5 or 6 hours before the telecast begin and just now, at 12:44 PM my time, the final groups are finishing up.

Colin Montgomerie is leading so far, at 6 under par.... tied for second, three shots back of the leader at -3, is a group of 5 or 6 golfers, including the leader at the 2001 Masters, Chris DiMarco, though he's still on the course.

There is also a large group at -2, including David Duval, Jesper Parnavick, and Stuart Appleby.

Defending champion Tiger Woods shot 71, even par with the course.

Greg Norman had to pull out of the tournament yesterday, due to the death of a close friend.

In other news that I'm sure "everyone" is interested in, Canada's Mike Weir is seven over after the first round :(

[iFroggy]

Colin is a choker, he'll blow it. :D

[lmanchur.]

Starting the final day, Duval, Langer, Woosnam, and Cejka are all tied at -6 for the lead at the 130th Open Championship. If one of these are going to play, I'm going to pick David Duval -- he's on a HOT streak!!!

...if there's going to be a come-from-behind win, I'm chosing Woods -- 5 back (-1).

However, I think Jesper Parnevick will come through on the final day and win.

Anyone else have predictions... only 6 or so hours 'till the final round begins!!

[NickHammy]

And the winner is.....David Duval! Great for him to win his first major championship:)

[Ross]

Congrats to Duval for taking the Claret Jug.:)

[lmanchur.]

Agreed..... they can now scratch him off the list of "greatest players to never win a major," but, like they said on the telecast, a lot of the game's best players didn't win a major until they were 29, 30, 31, or even until age 34.... Duval is 29 and Mickelson is 31.... there are a bunch of players on that "list" whose time will come eventually, like Duval's turn today.

[Marc]

Thrilled to hear Duval won! Hopefully, this will propel him to future wins. He was always considered the man who would be Tiger's much-needed challenger, hopefully this sparks his confidence.

[lmanchur.]

Here's something that just caught my attention... not sure if this story is being broadcasted in the USA or not.

...in less than 24 hours after winning the 130th Open Championship, David Duval must travel overseas back to Canada for a 9:00 AM EST tee-off in the Canadian Skins Game. Also in the event are Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia, who both had top-15 finishes at the Open, as well as home-country favorite Mike Weir.

[iFroggy]

First for the event...

I guess I don't mind Duval, I don't really like him.

Now...

Did you guys here about Woosnam? He had 15 clubs in his bag and had to take a 2 stroke penalty which possibly cost him the British Open. His caddy, if he still has a job, should thank his lucky stars!

[NickHammy]

I heard about that, that might have cause him the Open. And the caddy, bet he's long gone.

[Marc]

I heard about that! Talk about blowing your chances.

[iFroggy]

Well, Woosnam said that that guy will still be his caddie.

[lmanchur.]

....I guess Woosnam can be thankful that the caddy at least caught it on the second tee, because it's actually a two-stroke penalty for EVERY HOLE that you play with an extra club.

[NickHammy]

ouch that could have hurt a lot more:eek: :uhoh:

[iFroggy]

Should have not gotten that far. :D